HIGHLAND — After being called for her fourth foul midway through the second quarter, Cali Nelson was the last person the Timpanogos girls basketball team would have expected to be leading the way in overtime.
But the sophomore center scored seven of the team's 10 points in the extra period to help the Timberwolves hang on for a 71-70 road win over Lone Peak.
Along with the rest of her team, Nelson and the Timberwolves (8-5, 1-0) were in foul trouble throughout the second half in a game that never produced a lead larger than four points.
"I thought that we'd probably end up with sophomores on the floor or junior varsity players," Timpanogos coach Robert Louder said. "I didn't think any of them were going to last the way they were hacking in the first half."
Jennifer Harris and Amy Weitzel eventually fouled out of the game, but the Timberwolves found a way to break Lone Peak's (4-8, 0-1) full-court press just enough times to grab their first win in Region 7 play.
"I told them they can't play off and have to play smarter," Louder said. "Sometimes you just get too pumped up and when you get in the game you lose control."
The Knights had a shot to win the game in regulation, but made two costly mistakes in overtime, coming out of a timeout with a turnover and allowing Nelson a three-point play on the other end.
"We're starting to believe in ourselves I think, but that has been an issue," said Lone Peak coach Keith Flood of his team, which has lost its last three games by a total of seven points. "I don't think we realize how good of a team we can be. We rely a lot on some sophomores and juniors that haven't had varsity time before."
Both teams struggled out of the gate to find their offense and handle the full-court pressure. The Knights had a 7-6 lead at the end of the first before both teams found easy layups and open 3-pointers amidst the constant fouling to score 44 combined points in the second quarter.
Caitlyn Sears led the way offensively for the Knights with 20 points. Sophomore center Amanda Prestwich contributed big on offense as well with 13 points under the basket.
Harris led the way for the Timberwolves with 22 points along with Chelsey Brown, who tossed in 20 of her own.